Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

402 HOPES DISAPPOINTED. Feb. 1830. sage opening to the sea,* and a wigwam just deserted. Here was cause for hope ; and seeing, beyond the passage, some large islands lying to seaward of that which we had been coasting, it appeared probable that our boat had been taken there for seal- fishing. Our prisoners had given us to understand plainly enough that such was the object of those who had stolen her, and outlying islands were the most likely to be visited, as on them most seal are found. " Next day (19th) I passed over to Gilbert Island, and in a cove found such recent marks of natives, that I felt sure of coming up with the chase in the course of the day. When the Fuegians stop anywhere, tliey generally bark a few trees, to repair their canoes or cover their wigwams ; but those whose traces we were following, had made long journeys without stopping ; and, where they did stay, barked no trees, whicli was one reason for supposing them to be the party in our boat. In the course of the day we pulled nearly round the islands, -j- looking into every cove. " On the 20th, we discovered three small canoes Avith their owners in a cove.]: All the men ran away, except two. As we saw that there were no more persons than the canoes required, we did not try to catch them, knowing that this could not be the party we were in search of. We had now examined every nook and corner about these islands, and I began to give up all hope of finding our boat in this direction. Having no clue to guide me farther, and much time having been lost, I re- luctantly decided to return to the Beagle. Our only re- maining hope, that the master might have met with the boat, was but very feeble. " (21st.) All this day we were pulling to the westward, to regain the Beagle. At night-fall I met Mr. Murray, with the cutter, in the cove where I had appointed a rendezvous. He had not found any signs of the boat upon the opposite shore, and therefore returned ; but he saw the people who had escaped from us when we surprised the whole family. They fled as soon as his boat was seen. Leaving, therefore, three men to * Adventure Passage. + Gilbert Islands. I Doris Cove.